Before paper, books known as 'Illuminated Manuscripts' were the primary means of communication.

Books were used as a major means of communication during this time.  Scribes would handwrite and decorate books, or illuminated manuscripts, to use as the means of communicate throughout this time period.  Important records, information, stories, and even the bible were written in manuscripts.  By 1100, Europe had started using paper for books instead of the traditional parchments and vellums (“Illuminated Manuscripts”).  One example of the elaborate manuscripts is the illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells. “The Book of Kells is an Irish manuscript that contained the four gospels.  It is considered one of Ireland’s most precious medieval artifacts” (“Book of Kells”).